Study says soy protein can reduce cholesterol

While there are many who claim soy may not be as healthy for the heart’s heath, a group of researchers claimed through they study that soy protein has the ability to lower cholesterol by small margin, but is significant nonetheless..

The study that was published in the Journal of Nutrition conducted forty-one trials to examine the effects on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is often referred to as the "bad cholesterol" because a high amount of it leads to a build-up of cholesterol in arteries. All 43 studies provided data about "total cholesterol," which reflects the overall amount of cholesterol in the blood.

Researchers found that soy protein reduced LDL cholesterol by three to four per cent in adults, a small but significant amount, noted Dr David Jenkins, the lead author of the study.

"When one adds the displacement of high saturated fat and cholesterol-rich meats to a diet that includes soy, the reduction of cholesterol could be greater. The existing data and our analysis of it suggest soy protein contributes to heart health," Dr Jenkins said.